Three-dimensional puzzle having c-shaped members

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of a three-dimensional puzzle having C-shaped members are provided. For example, a three-dimensional puzzle can be provided including a first, second and third C-shaped member each having a first end and an opposing second end, and a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of each C-shaped member, the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are each configured to be in contact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members such that the first, second and third C-shaped members are held together independently.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/400,319 filed Sep. 27, 2016, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of athree-dimensional puzzle, and more particularly, to exemplaryembodiments of a three-dimensional puzzle having C-shaped members.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A puzzle is a game that requires ingenuity, logic and persistence inassembling or solving. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to piecetogether objects (puzzle pieces) in a logical way, in order to come upwith the desired shape, picture or solution. Puzzles are often contrivedas a form of entertainment, and they can also stem from mathematical orlogical problems. The intellectual challenge involves assembly ofnumerous small, often oddly shaped, interlocking and tessellatingpieces.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Exemplary embodiments of a three-dimensional puzzle having C-shapedmembers with bulbous ends are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, athree-dimensional puzzle can be provided, comprising a first C-shapedmember having a first end and an opposing second end, the first C-shapedmember having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and asecond bulbous portion provided on the second end of the first C-shapedmember, a second C-shaped member having a first end and an opposingsecond end, the second C-shaped member having a first bulbous portionprovided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on thesecond end of the second C-shaped member, and a third C-shaped memberhaving a first end and an opposing second end, the third C-shaped memberhaving a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a secondbulbous portion provided on the second end of the third C-shaped member,the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member areeach configured to be in contact with and secured against the first andsecond bulbous portions of the first and second C-shaped members suchthat the first, second and third C-shaped members are held togetherindependently.

The first and second bulbous portions of the first, second and thirdC-shaped members can have a spherical shape. The first and secondbulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shaped members canhave a substantially identical size and shape. The first, second andthird C-shaped members can have a curved body.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first and second bulbous portions ofthe first C-shaped member can be provided along a first axis, the firstand second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member can beprovided along a second axis, and the first and second bulbous portionsof the third C-shaped member can be provided along a third axis when thefirst and second bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are incontact with and secured against the first and second bulbous portionsof the first and second C-shaped members. The surfaces of the bulbousportions can be rotatable with respect to each other when the first andsecond bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are in contact withand secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the firstand second C-shaped members.

In some exemplary embodiments, the three-dimensional puzzle can furthercomprise one or more jigs configured to retain at least one bulbousportion of the first C-shaped member and at least one bulbous portion ofthe second C-shaped member. Each of the one or more jigs can have afirst receiving portion and a second receiving portion each configuredto receive and secure a bulbous portion of a different C-shaped member.Each receiving portion of the one or more jigs can comprise one or moreupwardly extending curved walls configured to secure a bulbous portionof a C-shaped member. Each receiving portion can have four upwardlyextending curved walls.

In some exemplary embodiments, a three-dimensional puzzle can beprovided, comprising a first C-shaped member having a first end and anopposing second end, the first C-shaped member having a first bulbousportion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion providedon the second end of the first C-shaped member, a second C-shaped memberhaving a first end and an opposing second end, the second C-shapedmember having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and asecond bulbous portion provided on the second end of the second C-shapedmember, and a vertical post having a first end and an opposing secondend, the vertical post having a first bulbous portion provided on thefirst end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of thevertical post, the first and second bulbous portions of the verticalpost are each configured to be in contact with and secured against thefirst and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shapedmembers such that the vertical post, first C-shaped member and secondC-shaped member are held together independently.

The first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post, firstC-shaped member and second C-shaped member can have a spherical shape.The first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post, firstC-shaped member and second C-shaped member can have a substantiallyidentical size and shape. The first and second C-shaped members can havea curved body.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first and second bulbous portions ofthe first C-shaped member can be provided along a first axis, the firstand second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member can beprovided along a second axis, and the first and second bulbous portionsof the vertical post can be provided along a third axis when the firstand second bulbous portions of the vertical post are in contact with andsecured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first andsecond C-shaped members. The surfaces of the bulbous portions can berotatable with respect to each other when the first and second bulbousportions of the vertical post are in contact with and secured againstthe first and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shapedmembers.

In some exemplary embodiments, the three-dimensional puzzle can furthercomprise one or more jigs configured to retain at least one bulbousportion of the first C-shaped member and at least one bulbous portion ofthe second C-shaped member. Each of the one or more jigs can have afirst receiving portion and a second receiving portion each configuredto receive and secure a bulbous portion of a different C-shaped member.Each receiving portion of the one or more jigs can comprise one or moreupwardly extending curved walls configured to secure a bulbous portionof a C-shaped member.

In some exemplary embodiments, a method of solving a three-dimensionalpuzzle can be provided, comprising aligning a first C-shaped memberhaving a first end with a first bulbous portion and an opposing secondend with a second bulbous portion in a first axis, aligning a secondC-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbous portion and anopposing second end with a second bulbous portion in a second axis, andaligning a third C-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbousportion and an opposing second end with a second bulbous portion in athird axis, such that the first and second bulbous portions of the thirdC-shaped member are each in contact with and secured against the firstand second bulbous portions of the first C-shaped member and the firstand second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member, holdingtogether the first, second and third C-shaped members independently.

In some exemplary embodiments, a kit can be provided, comprising a firstC-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the firstC-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first endand a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the firstC-shaped member, a second C-shaped member having a first end and anopposing second end, the second C-shaped member having a first bulbousportion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion providedon the second end of the second C-shaped member, a third C-shaped memberhaving a first end and an opposing second end, the third C-shaped memberhaving a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and a secondbulbous portion provided on the second end of the third C-shaped member,each of the bulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shapedmembers in contact with and secured against one or more other bulbousportions of the first, second and third C-shaped members, such that thefirst, second and third C-shaped members hold together independently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of the present disclosure will beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, in which likereference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a C-shaped member according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of first and second C-shaped members accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of first and second C-shaped members engagedaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of first, second and third C-shaped membersengaged according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5-9 are illustrations of 6 C-shaped members being engagedaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are illustrations of an alternative embodiment of apuzzle with a post and 5 C-shaped members being engaged according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 12-15 are illustrations of an alternative embodiment of a puzzlewith a cube and 3 C-shaped members being engaged according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a puzzle 10 having C-shaped members withdifferent sized bodies according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are illustrations of an alternative embodiment of apuzzle having members with double handles according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 19 and 20 are illustrations of alternative embodiments of C-shapedmembers having alternative shapes and designs.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters,unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements,components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, whilethe subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference tothe figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrativeembodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be madeto the described embodiments without departing from the true scope andspirit of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide forvarious configurations of a puzzle using numerous C-shaped members.Exemplary embodiments of the puzzle will now be described with referenceto the figures.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a C-shaped member 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The C-shaped member 100can have a curved or partially curved body 110 resembling a C-shape. Abulbous portion 120 can be provided at a first end 115 of the curvedbody 110, and a bulbous portion 130 can be provided at a second end 125of the curved body 110. The C-shaped member 100 can have various shapes,and can have straight portions rather than a curved body, a combinationof straight and curved portions, and can have a cross-section of anyshape, e.g., circular or rectangular. The bulbous portions 120 and 130can have a spherical shape, a ball-shape, a cube-shape, polygonal shapesor any other type of shape. The C-shaped member, including the curvedbody and bulbous portions can be made of any material or combination ofmaterials, including but not limited to glass, paper, wood, plastic,metal or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a first C-shaped member 100 and a secondC-shaped member 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The C-shaped member 200 can be similar to the C-shapedmember 100 and can have a curved body 210 resembling a C-shape, and abulbous portion 220 can be provided at a first end 215 of the curvedbody 210, and a bulbous portion 230 can be provided at a second end 225of the curved body 210. The C-shaped member 100 can be placed so thatthe bulbous portions 120 and 130 are provided in a y-axis as shown andthe C-shaped member 200 can be placed so that bulbous portions 220 and230 are provided in an x-axis as shown.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of first and second C-shaped members engagedaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shownin FIG. 3, the C-shaped member 200 is placed so that the bulbousportions 120 and 130 each contact the bulbous portions 220 and 230. Asseen, a surface of each bulbous portion contacts at least the surfacesof at least two other bulbous portions. That is, bulbous portions 120and 130 are each in contact with bulbous portions 220 and 230.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of first, second and third C-shaped membersengaged according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.A C-shaped member 300 can be similar to the C-shaped members 100 and200, and can have a curved body 310 resembling a C-shape, and a bulbousportion or ball 320 can be provided at a first end of the curved body210, and a bulbous portion or ball 330 (not shown) can be provided at asecond end of the curved body 310. The C-shaped member 300 can have thebulbous portions 320 and 330 provided in a z-axis as shown, and placedapproximate to the C-shaped members 100 and 200.

All three C-shaped members can be of an identical or substantiallyidentical size and shape, including the body and the bulbous portions.In some exemplary embodiments, the bulbous portions of all threeC-shaped members can be of an identical or substantially identical sizeand shape, while the lengths of the bodies of the three C-shaped memberscan vary. In some exemplary embodiments, the bulbous portions of allthree C-shaped members can vary in size or shape. For example, the sizeof one or more of the bulbous portions in one C-shaped member can rangein size such as 0.5 to 1.5 times the size of the bulbous portions in theother C-shaped members.

In use, the C-shaped members 100 and 200 can be held in place so thatthe C-shaped member 300 can be placed in such a configuration so that asurface of the bulbous portions 320 and 330 each contact a surface ofeach bulbous portion (120, 130, 220, 230) of the C-shaped members 100and 200. In this configuration, the device or puzzle 10 can be securedso that the C-shaped members do not come apart due to the interlockingof the bulbous portions of the C-shaped members, and the curved bodies110, 210 and 310 can rotate in a direction m with respect to each otheras shown. There is a snug fit of the bulbous portions such that they canbe pried apart but otherwise stay together.

In some exemplary embodiments, more than 3 C-shaped members can beconfigured to be placed around each other. FIGS. 5-9 are illustrationsof 6 C-shaped members being engaged according to an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, 6 C-shapedmembers 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 can be provided having a similaror identical shape and configuration as the C-shaped members describedabove.

Jigs 700 can be used to secure and hold the bulbous portions ofrespective C-shaped members during the assembly of the puzzle. Each jig700 can have two or more receiving portions 710. The receiving portions710 can be provided by upwardly extending thin curved walls 720. In someexemplary embodiments, each receiving portion 710 is configured by fourupwardly extending curved walls 720. Each receiving portion 710 isconfigured to snugly receive and frictionally secure a bulbous portionof a C-shaped member. In some exemplary embodiments, each jig 700 isused to hold a bulbous portion of a C-shaped member and a bulbousportion of a separate C-shaped member, to hold the C-shaped members inplace while the user attempts to secure other C-shaped members asdescribed below. The jigs 700 can be made of any material or combinationof materials, including but not limited to glass, paper, wood, plastic,metal or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 6, jigs 700 can be used to hold bulbous portions ofC-shaped members 100 and 200. For example, one jig 700 is used to hold afirst bulbous portion of C-shaped member 100 and a first bulbous portionof C-shaped member 200, to hold the C-shaped members in place, whileanother jig 700 is used to hold a second bulbous portion of C-shapedmember 100 and a second bulbous portion of C-shaped member 200. Thecurved receiving portions 710 of the jigs 700 allow the bulbous membersof the C-shaped members to freely rotate when placed within thereceiving portions 710.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), additional jigs 700 can be further used to secureC-shaped members 300 and 400 to the C-shaped members 100 and 200 asshown. The additional jigs can be used to hold a bulbous portion ofC-shaped member 300 with a bulbous portion of C-shaped member 400. Theplanes shown in FIG. 7(b) provide the direction of each of the C-shapedmembers to secure the 4 C-shaped members together. As shown in FIG. 8, aC-shaped member 500 is attached to the four C-shaped members 100-400. Ajig 700 can be used to secure the C-shaped member 500, but may not beneeded to secure the C-shaped member 500. As shown in FIG. 9, a C-shapedmember 600 can now be secured to the five C-shaped members 100-500. Ajig may not be needed to secure the C-shaped member 600. The jigs 700can be optionally used to hold certain C-shaped members in positionwhile the user attaches other C-shaped members.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are illustrations of an alternative embodiment of apuzzle with a post and 5 C-shaped members being engaged according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, a post800 can be used with 5 C-shaped members 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500, asshown in FIG. 10. The post 800 can have a substantially straight body810, and a bulbous portion 820 and bulbous portion 830 similar to thebulbous portions of the C-shaped members described above. The samemanner of connecting the C-shaped members with the post 800 can be usedas described above with respect to FIGS. 5-9, with the post 800 beingused as the first C-shaped member and the remaining being put in placeas described above with respect to C-shaped members 200, 300, 400, 500and 600. The fully assembled puzzle is shown in FIG. 11. Jigs 700 canoptionally be used to secure the C-shaped members to the post 800 andother C-shaped members.

In some exemplary embodiments, C-shaped members can be used with a cubeof bulbous portions. FIGS. 12-15 are illustrations of an alternativeembodiment of a puzzle with a cube and 3 C-shaped members being engagedaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shownin FIG. 12, a cube 900 can be provided having 8 bulbous portions and 3C-shaped members 100, 200 and 300 are provided having bulbous portionssimilar to the bulbous portions of the C-shaped members described above.As shown in FIG. 13, C-shaped member 100 can be attached to the cube 900along a first axis. As shown in FIG. 14, C-shaped member 200 can beattached to the cube 900 along a second axis. As shown in FIG. 15,C-shaped member 300 can be attached to the cube 900 along a third axis.Jigs 700 can optionally be used to secure the C-shaped members to otherC-shaped members. The bodies of the 3 C-shaped members can be rotatedwith respect to the cube once assembled as shown.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a puzzle 10 having C-shaped members withdifferent sized bodies according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In this embodiment, one C-shaped member 300 can havea handle portion 390. A C-shaped member 100 can have bulbous portions120 and 130 that engage with the bulbous portions of C-shaped member300. In this embodiment, the space between the bulbous portions ofC-shaped member 100 and C-shaped member 300 can be greater so that a“rattling” effect is provided when shaking the handle portion 390.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are illustrations of an alternative embodiment of apuzzle having members with double handles according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 17, a member 400can be provided having a handle 410 (which can resemble a C-shape) and ahandle 420 (which can resemble a C-shape). The ends of the handles 410and 420 can connect bulbous portions 430 and 440. A member 500 can beprovided having a handle 510 (which can resemble a C-shape) and a handle520 (which can resemble a C-shape). The ends of the handles 510 and 520can connect bulbous portions 530 and 540. A member 600 can be providedhaving a handle 610 (which can resemble a C-shape) and a handle 620(which can resemble a C-shape). The ends of the handles 610 and 620 canconnect bulbous portions 630 and 640. In some exemplary embodiments, thehandles can be removable from the bulbous portions. As shown in FIG. 18,the members 400, 500 and 600 can be joined and rotated along directionsm along the x, y and z axis. In some exemplary embodiments, the spacebetween the bulbous portions of the members 400, 500 and 600 can begreater so that a “rattling” effect can be provided.

Various other considerations can also be addressed in the exemplaryapplications described according to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure. For example, various materials can be used toconstruct the elements described in the figures. Various sizes anddimensions of the elements, including the bodies and bulbous portions,can be provided, as well as shapes for the bodies and bulbous portions.For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the C-shaped members 100, 200 and 300can have bulbous portions 120, 130, 220, 230, 320 and 330 that havealternative shapes, e.g., faceted ball ends. As shown in FIG. 20, thehandles 110 and 210 of the C-shaped members 100, 200 can have variousshapes. Various lengths of the bodies and posts can be provided.Different colors can be provided for the bodies and bulbous portions ofthe C-shaped members, posts and cubes to provide different challengesand puzzles for users.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure.Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein.It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be ableto devise numerous systems, arrangements, manufacture and methods which,although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principlesof the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional puzzle, comprising: a firstC-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end, the firstC-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided on the first endand a second bulbous portion provided on the second end of the firstC-shaped member; a second C-shaped member having a first end and anopposing second end, the second C-shaped member having a first bulbousportion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion providedon the second end of the second C-shaped member; and a third C-shapedmember having a first end and an opposing second end, the third C-shapedmember having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and asecond bulbous portion provided on the second end of the third C-shapedmember, the first and second bulbous portions of the third C-shapedmember are each configured to be in contact with and secured against thefirst and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shapedmembers such that the first, second and third C-shaped members are heldtogether independently.
 2. The three-dimensional puzzle according toclaim 1, wherein the first and second bulbous portions of the first,second and third C-shaped members have a spherical shape.
 3. Thethree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond bulbous portions of the first, second and third C-shaped membershave a substantially identical size and shape.
 4. The three-dimensionalpuzzle according to claim 1, wherein the first, second and thirdC-shaped members have a curved body.
 5. The three-dimensional puzzleaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second bulbous portions ofthe first C-shaped member are provided along a first axis, the first andsecond bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member are provided alonga second axis, and the first and second bulbous portions of the thirdC-shaped member are provided along a third axis when the first andsecond bulbous portions of the third C-shaped member are in contact withand secured against the first and second bulbous portions of the firstand second C-shaped members.
 6. The three-dimensional puzzle accordingto claim 5, wherein the surfaces of the bulbous portions are rotatablewith respect to each other when the first and second bulbous portions ofthe third C-shaped member are in contact with and secured against thefirst and second bulbous portions of the first and second C-shapedmembers.
 7. The three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more jigs configured to retain at least one bulbousportion of the first C-shaped member and at least one bulbous portion ofthe second C-shaped member.
 8. The three-dimensional puzzle according toclaim 7, wherein each of the one or more jigs has a first receivingportion and a second receiving portion each configured to receive andsecure a bulbous portion of a different C-shaped member.
 9. Thethree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 8, wherein each receivingportion of the one or more jigs comprises one or more upwardly extendingcurved walls configured to secure a bulbous portion of a C-shapedmember.
 10. The three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 9, whereineach receiving portion has four upwardly extending curved walls.
 11. Athree-dimensional puzzle, comprising: a first C-shaped member having afirst end and an opposing second end, the first C-shaped member having afirst bulbous portion provided on the first end and a second bulbousportion provided on the second end of the first C-shaped member; asecond C-shaped member having a first end and an opposing second end,the second C-shaped member having a first bulbous portion provided onthe first end and a second bulbous portion provided on the second end ofthe second C-shaped member; and a vertical post having a first end andan opposing second end, the vertical post having a first bulbous portionprovided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on thesecond end of the vertical post, the first and second bulbous portionsof the vertical post are each configured to be in contact with andsecured against the first and second bulbous portions of the first andsecond C-shaped members such that the vertical post, first C-shapedmember and second C-shaped member are held together independently. 12.The three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 11, wherein the firstand second bulbous portions of the vertical post, first C-shaped memberand second C-shaped member have a spherical shape.
 13. Thethree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 11, wherein the first andsecond bulbous portions of the vertical post, first C-shaped member andsecond C-shaped member have a substantially identical size and shape.14. The three-dimensional puzzle according to claim 11, wherein thefirst and second C-shaped members have a curved body.
 15. Thethree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 11, wherein the first andsecond bulbous portions of the first C-shaped member are provided alonga first axis, the first and second bulbous portions of the secondC-shaped member are provided along a second axis, and the first andsecond bulbous portions of the vertical post are provided along a thirdaxis when the first and second bulbous portions of the vertical post arein contact with and secured against the first and second bulbousportions of the first and second C-shaped members.
 16. Thethree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 15, wherein the surfaces ofthe bulbous portions are rotatable with respect to each other when thefirst and second bulbous portions of the vertical post are in contactwith and secured against the first and second bulbous portions of thefirst and second C-shaped members.
 17. The three-dimensional puzzleaccording to claim 11, further comprising: one or more jigs configuredto retain at least one bulbous portion of the first C-shaped member andat least one bulbous portion of the second C-shaped member.
 18. Thethree-dimensional puzzle according to claim 17, wherein each of the oneor more jigs has a first receiving portion and a second receivingportion each configured to receive and secure a bulbous portion of adifferent C-shaped member.
 19. The three-dimensional puzzle according toclaim 18, wherein each receiving portion of the one or more jigscomprises one or more upwardly extending curved walls configured tosecure a bulbous portion of a C-shaped member.
 20. A method of solving athree-dimensional puzzle, comprising: aligning a first C-shaped memberhaving a first end with a first bulbous portion and an opposing secondend with a second bulbous portion in a first axis; aligning a secondC-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbous portion and anopposing second end with a second bulbous portion in a second axis; andaligning a third C-shaped member having a first end with a first bulbousportion and an opposing second end with a second bulbous portion in athird axis, such that the first and second bulbous portions of the thirdC-shaped member are each in contact with and secured against the firstand second bulbous portions of the first C-shaped member and the firstand second bulbous portions of the second C-shaped member, holdingtogether the first, second and third C-shaped members independently. 21.A kit comprising: a first C-shaped member having a first end and anopposing second end, the first C-shaped member having a first bulbousportion provided on the first end and a second bulbous portion providedon the second end of the first C-shaped member; a second C-shaped memberhaving a first end and an opposing second end, the second C-shapedmember having a first bulbous portion provided on the first end and asecond bulbous portion provided on the second end of the second C-shapedmember; a third C-shaped member having a first end and an opposingsecond end, the third C-shaped member having a first bulbous portionprovided on the first end and a second bulbous portion provided on thesecond end of the third C-shaped member; each of the bulbous portions ofthe first, second and third C-shaped members in contact with and securedagainst one or more other bulbous portions of the first, second andthird C-shaped members, such that the first, second and third C-shapedmembers hold together independently.